FINALLY A MISSION CALL

October 1

How we love general conference.  It never ceases to amaze us how each speaker is talking directly to us.  Every time we tell ourselves that it could never be better; each conference it is better.
Granddad put  up a flag from where people in our family have gone for their missions.

 

Families with their flag.

The family came for dinner between sessions.

some of the kids after dinner

We were saddened by Elder Robert D. Hales death, but knowing where he is brings such comfort.  We were also saddened by our Prophet, Thomas S. Monson's absence. 

He watched from his home because of his age and weakened condition.  We missed his radiant presence and smile.  The restored gospel is so true and we are so blessed to have the priesthood on the earth and a true and living Prophet of God to follow.

Wednesday was special because I got to go to Jonny's school and have lunch with him as part of Grandparent's Day.  I love him so much.  He is a wonderful boy who loves his family and his Savior.

Thursday we tended Nixon and Rowan from 3-6:30 It was at the same time as Kolton's football game so all was easy and fun.  I don't know how mothers' carry their babies in those car seats; they are way too heavy.
Saturday the 6th was Bethany's birthday.  She is such a wonderful wife for our Scott.  They are a perfect match.  She loves her family and thoroughly loves her dance family.  It is so nice that she can be with Ava at dance.  We are blessed because we get Nixon and Rowan on Monday's during dance.  She is an incredible mother and we are so glad she is part of our eternal family.  She's game for anything.

 We started the day going to SLC at 9:00 for Neldon Cochran's funeral.  What a great man.  He was George's high school basketball coach.

top right

  George's niece, Sherri Cochran is Neldon's daughter in law.  It was a wonderful funeral.  We left there to go back to Provo for me to go to a reunion with the teachers I taught with for over 20 years at Canyon Crest.  I had a very hard time because I got all ready and realized I had deleted Linda Flake's address and phone number.  The only numbers I had were from 10 years ago when people had land lines.  I was so upset I started to cry.  My great husband went on line and found her address and saved the day.  I was only an hour late.  It was so wild to get together and talk about the fun times teaching.  They are such dear friends. 

I love them all.  I forgot to take pictures until only a few were left.

I left there to get granddad and go back to SLC for a wedding reception of my cousin, Tom Jones' daughter.  I went mainly to see Tom and his brothers.  They are Uncle Larrell and Aunt Maria's boys, Tom, Brent and Gail.  Jerry could not come because he is in a hospital in Boise, Idaho. not doing very well.  Cousins should see each other far more often than we do.  They have the picture. One day I will.

We left there to go back to Utah County for Riley's game against American Fork.

Can't find these pictures

We left at half time to go to BYU and meet Tiffani and her girls to watch the game against Boise State.  No comment.  It was fun to be with Tiff and the girls.

We finally made it to bed at 1:30 AM.  We were so tired.  Dad was smart and went to bed earlier.  It was a very long and hard day but at the same time wonderful.

Saturday was a very hard day for me.  The best part was going to Jonny's soccer game.  The boys came to mow and the girls went to Ava's for a sleepover.

Sunday morning Tiff picked up the girls along with Ava and Nixon an met us at church.  It was another hard day for me because I was released as Relief Society President.  I have loved this calling so much.  I have been so humbled by the love and service these sisters give to each other.  They have taught me how to truly serve one another.  I cannot explain how much I love them.  It has been a great 2 years and 9 months.  That afternoon, Tiff drove home.  I was very empty.  Nancy has been an incredible Relief Society President. She has brought a spirit to the Relief Society that brings love and caring.  She has totally dedicated herself for these past two plus years.  I have watched her grow spiritually as she has served others.  It has been a blessing in our home.

Tuesday evening we went to PGJH for Lily and Camden't choir concert.  We love having Clark's family here so we can see both families perform without so much driving. 

The concert was so fun.  They sang very well.  After we went with Clark's family to Macys for ice cream.

We have had our papers in 4 weeks now and are so impatient.  We are ready.
Wednesday we had 2 concerts.  Molly and Kolton's was at 6:00

and Parker and Riley's was at 7:30.  Thank goodness Erik had seats saved for us.  It was so crowded and probably over 400 students got to perform.  What a wonderful thing it is to have so many young people feel so good about what they have accomplished.  The music was masterful and so well done. Each group was perfect. It was an unforgettable evening.

These were the very best ones.  After we went with Clark's family for ice cream.
Somewhere in here Milt and his friend, Don came to show us some very impressive ways to filter your home, camping, hiking, and 5 gallon containers.  It filters far finer than the ones you buy in stores.  It is very inexpensive.

Milt and Don 

On the 12th (maybe) we went to Parker's JV game against Lone Peak.  He played a great game.

#55

Oct,13th we went to Riley's varsity game.  Riley played the whole game on defense and was awesome.  The game was against Lone Peak.

after

Scott's

William

We don't talk about the BYU game on the 14th.
Jonny had his last soccer game on Saturday.  He is an amazing player and we love to watch him.

Always love having Scott's kids on Mondays.  They are so entertaining.  
I am now seeing the doctor for plugged pores in my right eye.  I have to put an ointment directly into my eye 3 times a day.  I went to fill the prescription and found it cost $203.00 for a 1/8 oz. tube.  We love Costco because they called the doctor and asked for a different company and we got the same prescription for $18.00.  that's rip off on some of these companies.  No wonder insurance is so expensive.

Tuesday we went to the temple and I did the endowment for Cinderella (really!).  Only 2 more brothers and we can seal that family.  It is so humbling and wonderful that we can do this for them.  We love going to the temple.
Still no mission call.  It will be 5 weeks Thursday.

Wednesday the 18th we went to the varsity game at West Jordan.  The boys won 47-7.  It was so fun to see them play so well.

With moms

Thursday Oct,19th

FINALLY A CALL.  WE HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED TO GO TO THE PALMYRA, NEW YORK TEMPLE MISSION.

We are so excited and so blessed to do this.  We report to the Salt Lake City Temple on April 10th for our training.  We are so happy because we will be able to go to Jalen's baptism January 19th, Hailey's return from her mission in Michigan, in February and Ashley's second, (our) great grandchild in March.  We will miss other family things but we are thrilled to be a part of these.  Families are what it is all about.  We hope to be back for Parker's graduation.

To celebrate we went to our mountain land to feel the fresh air and the enjoy the beauty.  We will probably sell this land when we return.  We have 7 acres at Soldier Summit.  It is called that because of the Confederate Soldiers who were on their way South to fight in the Civil War and froze to death.  They had been released from the US Army to go home. 

It's hard to see the Rebel flag.  It's the white mark and is very old.

October 21st was Gary McRae's funeral.  It was so filled with the doctrine of Christ. One of the area 70 spoke. Gary was and is a great man.  I stayed the day because we wanted the luncheon, 100 people, to be perfect.  It was.  I had ordered new round tables for the cultural hall, new table cloths and the long table cloths came the day before.  Ann was my funeral luncheon person and had done 13 funerals and many more for other years.  She deserved the best for all her service.

Sunday we announced our call in church.  Dad did the talking.  I was so obedient.

After our temple session Tuesday Milt and Don came to finalize their presentation on different food things, especially water and cooking using an old TV dish using only the sun.  It's amazing.
Friday the 27th  Sister Hailey Bayles had a birthday.  She is such a ray of sunshine in our lives.  She loves being a missionary and loves her Savior.  We love reading her letters and posts.  She is rocking Michigan.  

Riley played at Kearns High School.  They won 27-7. (I think) It was a great game.  Riley played a great game.  Tiff's family met us at the game because it was a playoff.  After the game we all went to In-N-Out for dinner on Granddad.

after the game with Lily

 Will and parents

 the gang

                 

 adults

 the guys

more cousins

Saturday we went to the BYU/San Jose game.  Always fun to be with family.  We won.

 Ava came from a dance class.

 Tiff with Asher

Sunday morning we went to Scott's ward for their primary program.  Ava and Nixon did a great job.  Tiff loved holding Rowan.  She never made a peep.  They left from Scott's for Vegas because Clara had a violin practice for her to play at Stake Conference She did an amazing job and Lauren sang beautifully.

Oct.30 was my brother Del's birthday.  He has always been one of my heroes.  We don't see much of each other but I surely do love him.

We found the best place to be on Halloween was the temple.  We enjoyed our session.

That evening the trick-or-treaters came which we enjoy.  Scott and his family came to the house.

 elephant Rowan

 So many wonderful things have happened to us this month.  We love our Savior and the restored gospel of Jesus Christ  We are anxiously awaiting our time to start this new mission and serve our Savior.

SEPTEMBER AND FOOTBALL, FOOTBALL, FOOTBALL

We started this month by meeting Tiff’s family in St George for a fun weekend.  We got there before the Jennings,( shocker) and bought dinner at Chick Filet so we would be ready to go to Toucan to see Newsies.  We were certainly not disappointed.  It was a remarkable production and perfect seats and weather. (a bit warm)  We love this venue and this year even invited the he-men.  We never get back before midnight.

The next morning, Dave decided to give the twins an early birthday present.  They were so excited but when they opened the gifts they just stared, not moving. 

It was pierced earrings and when they realized they were for the 10^th birthday and didn’t have to wait for the 12^th they got excited.

After breakfast the men went golfing and the girls went piercing.  Dave gave them many earrings that morning.  They were so fun to watch.

I did not know after all these blogs we've done that if you hit the box at the right hand bottom corner of the movies it will be on the large screen.  Try it.

They had to hold each others' hands for support.

We went to Brick Oven for dinner

Their birthday treat.

and had yummy food and then all got in the Jennings’ room and watched the BYU/LSU game.  No comment.

Sunday morning we found an early church to go to.  It was fast Sunday and the meeting was filled with the Spirit.  A Polynesian family came in a little late and filled one whole row.  Four boys and an older man shared their testimonies. Their words filled the chapel with warmth and truth.  We chose the right building.

We went back to the hotel and packed up to go to the Jennings’ cabin. On the way we stopped at Kolob National Park, a part of Zion's Park.

  

The cabin is amazing.  Dave has created a beautiful place where the family can go to get away.  The problem is they can never get away.  It is not finished but we spent the night and had a great time.  The cozy fireplace had us all sitting around it visiting.  Life just doesn’t get better.  We cooked hot dogs out on a fire pit with a wild animal border Tiff had just ordered. 

While sitting there eating 2 white falcons flew around us and into a tree right next to us.  When Tiff got home she looked it up and the bird is very rare. 

They were big and beautiful as they soared around.  Everything was perfect.

We got up anxiously to see the girls open their presents but it took forever for them to wake up.  It was like Christmas they had so much fun.  The cabin was the perfect place. 

Lauryn Dora is the older of the twins and what a treat.  She opened this pedicure bath kit.

She came into this world with a bang and has been lively ever since.  She takes piano and organ lessons and goes to competitions.  She loves going to school and learning about everything.  She is an amazing cook and loves to try new things.  She even cleans up after.  She is very creative.  Her smile melts your heart.

Clara Camille loves gymnastics.  She opened a ukulele.

She is very good and goes to a Russian owned gym and does well when she competes.  She is a very kind person and finds children who need a friend.  She has a smile for everyone.  She plays the violin very well and has even played in church.  Her pet that lives in their room is a boa constrictor.

Both girls love BUGS and CRITTERS.  They keep them as pets and even name them.  How can such cute girls love bugs?  They do love each other even though they want their own rooms they spend half the night giggling.  They love their family and going to church.

Dave worked on some things and we swept and organized some things while the girls and Cameron put carpet down in their rooms and fixed things up.  It was a fun morning.  It made us wish we had been able to do something with our land.

Around noon we left and had lunch at Charlies in Cedar City. It was under new management and we had a very long wait but it was fun to be together.

Dr. Whang was our last physical and he said no to our going to Ghana for our mission.  We were really saddened but decided to put in our papers anyway.  We are thinking of a temple mission.

George asked our temple president about a temple mission and he pointed us in the right direction.  We are again excited

Sept 8^th Parker and Riley had a game. 

Parker was injured so he couldn’t play.  Riley was amazing until he pulled a groin muscle and missed the rest of the game.

The next day Clark’s family and 4 cousins came to play in our little pool. Someone was in the water for 4 hours.  We had such a good time.  We just sat in our pergola and visited the entire time.  At 8:15 that night we went to the Utah game.  We played much better. The crowsst was great. Adam Cochran came to our seats at half time.  Such a good nephew.  (Just misguided as to his loyalties)

Adam Cochran and Erik

A normal family

Sunday was our area conference and what a Spirit filled meeting.  Elder Gary Stevenson was the main speaker but every speaker was so wonderful.  We learned that the sign on the freeway saying HOV stands for humility, obedience and virtue.  We never knew that.  It’s for all the world to see.  After the meeting we finished our mission papers.

Monday we got to have Nixon and Rowan again.  It’s a fun and busy time.  If Bethany asks Rowan if she has a cough she does the cutest fake cough.  
I have had so much fun getting sets of towels for the families.  Of course they were on sale.

That evening Jess Cornwell came over for a visit.  George coached him when we lived in Blanding.  It was so great to see him.  We love the pumpkins from the garden.

Tuesday is always temple day.  I hope I can remember all the things that a temple worker has to memorize.  I did Elizabeth Harwood’s name.  She was born in the 1680”s

That night was our RS evening meeting.  It was all about quilts and sisters shared some and told the stories about them.

  We had 60 or 70 sisters there.  It was wonderful.  That committee is amazing.  I have the best counselors, secretary and committees possible.
Wednesday the 13th we sent our papers in to the bishop.  He sent the papers on to to Pres Gagon.  Thursday we met with President Gagon for our interviews.  He is a great man.  At 10:00 that evening the bishop called to say our dental papers were missing and a box was not filed in by Dr. Taylor.  Ugh!  George hurried and ran the papers to the president and at 7:00 AM we called the doctor and got that fixed and sent.  The papers are now in SLC.

Saturday the 16^th  Kolton and Camden came to mow our lawns.  This is the only time we get to see them other than at ball games.  We love it.  They do a good job.

Jonny  you can make it bigger

When they finished we went to watch Jonny play football in AM Fork.  He was impressive.

  Great player.  After the game we took Riley, Molly and Jonny to the BYU football game against Wisconsin.  Ugh.  At least we were with family.

 Molly, Jonny, Parker, 

Shanelle, Erik

 Molly, Jonny and Riley

 Jonny, Riley and Parker

Scott's team

Rowan clapping push the button on lower right to make it bigger  any movie you can do that

 After the game we went for pizza and home to watch more football.  It was just fun to have them in our home.

Sunday was such a great meeting.  Elder Morgan Hunter spoke on home teaching and included his experiences while on his mission to Australia or New Zealand.  He has grown so much and gave such a wonderful talk.  He gave his testimony in Samoan.   That afternoon Scott and Susie came for home teaching and visiting teaching.  We had a great visit and just shared memories.  They are a treasure to have in our home.

Monday we did the usual cleaning and then were blessed to have Rowan and Nixon for a few hours.  Nixon wore dad right out with all of his activities. 

We wish we could have all our grands for a few hours each week.

Wednesday we went to Kolton's football game only to find he was injured and couldn't play.  We were bummed so I put this picture in from a game awhile ago.  I love it.
That night we learned that Hans Solo, their beloved dog, had been hit by a car and died.  That is always a tragedy.  Pets become family members.  

Monday we got to tend Nixon and Rowan for a few hours.  They are so fun.

Rowan

The 26th was another wonderful temple day.  We did George's names.  That is such a humble feeling.

The 27th was Uncle Mark's 80th birthday.  He is George's oldest brother.  We love this great man and have enjoyed our times together.  He is so kind.  He is now a Patriarch for his stake.  He is a man of God.

The JV game was fun because Parker played very well and Riley was the ball boy because they wanted to save him for varsity tomorrow. 

Coach Bayles and Riley

Erik is the coach so it was fun to be with family again.  We love these times.  We got to see Lou Wong who is a great man and a good friend.

after the game

Sept 29th Dad picked grapes and I canned some.  We went to West Lake for the PG game.  Kolton did the play by play and Riley played well.  Parker was still out with an injury.
The last day of the month was our favorite in that it was the Saturday session of General Conference.  We were able to finish the canning before and between sessions: 44 quarts of concentrated grape juice.  I wish we could tell you of our favorite speaker but that is impossible.  Each speaker had something to say just to us.  We always say this is the best conference ever and think nothing could be better and then the next conference comes and it's better. We love them all.  We love the messages on faith and repentance so we can live a daily life according to the doctrine of Christ.  It is so beautiful and pray daily that we can be worthy of our family for all eternity.  We love every one of them so very much and know they are wonderful people to be surrounded by.  The restored gospel is so true and we must live to be worthy of the blessings it contains.  It is so worth everything we must do.